Sunday, October 7, 2012

Top Ten Newcomers S/S 2013 - Tsheca White

The process for determining Inoubliable Model Army's Top Ten Newcomers involves painstakingly sifting through the stills from every single show through out the season and singling out models that I feel best represent current and future modelling trends. During the Spring/Summer 2013 collections there were obvious standout faces that will no doubt be appearing on Top Ten Lists everywhere. At Inoubliable Model Army, I usually reserve a couple of 'wildcard' spots for models whose beauty I believe in unequivocally and for whom I feel could benefit from the exposure.

The Spring/Summer 2013 season was particularly difficult for models of colour particularly black models. Many shows in Milan and Paris featured casts consisting solely of caucasians or otherwise with the inclusion of one at the most two black or Asian faces. This casting approach leaves scarce opportunities for models of colour especially those that are unestablished, to make their mark throughout the show season. One model who appeared in a smattering of shows in all four fashion capitals in spite of this 'closed door policy' was the sublime Jamaican Tsheca White. All eyes were trained on White as she stomped down the runway at Marc by Marc Jacobs, Edun, Acne, Philip Treacy, Christopher Kane, Emilio de la Morena, Fendi, Missoni, John Galliano, Jean-Charles de Castelbejac, and Zadig & Voltaire.

Represented by the newly formed Mix Model management, White cuts an imposing figure as she manoeuvres her 176 cm willowy frame down the runway with a menacing 'take no prisoners' glint in her eyes. While there's no denying White's obvious beauty, for me it is her tough androgyny that is particularly fascinating. White's compelling tough chic and hypnotic swagger allow her to stand out amidst the sea of lifeless pretty faces streaming down fashion's runways. White's flawless skin tone provides an exceptional canvas, framed by a strong chiseled jaw-line, wide set eyes and larger-than-life pillowy lips. White's in your face yet nonchalant beauty bears a similar feeling to current top model Joan Smalls. I'm hoping that in 2012, there's room for more than one top tier black model amongst modelling's fashion elite.